The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-01
MEXICAN wAsHERwOMEN.

Primitive Methods of Doing Laundry Work
in the Land of the Observation-Disclosures.
Correspondence of.t India napolis Journal
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico, April 26.-To the for
eigner in Mexico it is a curious and interesting
sight to visit the place where the women
do the washing for city. There is no wash
ing done at the residences. The records at
Washington will show that 10, 900 Ia few more or
less) washing machines have been invented. not
one of which has accomplished what the invent
or expected, met the representations of the
smooth tongued agent who disposed of them to
credulous housewives. These machines find no
market here In the greater part of Mexico
such things as wash BIS and boards, patent
steam washers, or even clothes-lines and pins,
are practically unknown, and it will be long
time before any of these articles will be brought
into general by these people The
washing is all done by women
along the margins of the rivers. and
creeks which, in this country we'll as In our
own so unaccountably find their way to the
cities and towns. There these women (laven-
deras) are be- found every day. Sunday not
excepted. from dozens up to hundreds, accord
ing to the size of the city. They assume the
sitting or squatting posture universal with
the female laborers of this country, having IN
front Of them, and partly resting in the water.
large, fat, smooth stone. Saturating gar
ment in the creek, and applying quantity of
soap it is then vigorously rubbed over the ston e,
which serves as a wash board, and Is very
good substitute indeed. 1t is often the case
that f.ir-sized stream, near a great city. Is so
largely used for such work that 1t presents the
appearance Of a river of soap-suds And yet
this water is used by the people OF the next town
below for drinking and culinary purposes, ana,
as far as the taste is concerned. they Will prooa
bly, find it none the worse for the GOOD service
rendered at various places nearer its source
The garments. after being washed, are srread
upon the rocks and gravel beds, and the bright
sun which shines here almost daily for eight
months in the year, dries them before one has
scarcely had time to turn around. This custom
of river washing is necesstated by the scarcity
of water There is scarcely any part OF the
country in which either wells or cisterns are TO
be found. All the drinking water is brought In
pipes tapping the river few miles ABOVE the
CITY, and is conducted to fountains or basins
conveniently located in different sections OF the
town. TO and from these reservoirs. during all
hours of the day. but more especially In the
morning and evening, a constant stream Oh
water-carrers go and come. Two men, with
barrel swung upon a pole, end or the pole
resting on shoulder of each; bits of boys with
two buckets balanced on STICK IN
japanese fashion; woman and girls with
ollois (round earthen jars) OF all
sizes on their heads shoulders,
keep up an endless procession to and from the
fountains. So it will be apparent the everyone
that, with this state of affairs existing. IL Is
more convenient to take the laundry TO the
river than to carry the water TO the house, and